Another ruling has come down from the NHL’s Department of Player Safety, this time suspending Fredrik Claesson of the Ottawa Senators for two games. Claesson hit Boston Bruins forward Noel Acciari in the head last night and was ejected from the game, and will now have to sit for a while longer.
The accompanying video explanation goes into detail on why Claesson deserved two games:
Rather than delivering a full-body hit, Claesson takes an angle of approach that makes Acciari’s head the main point of contact on a hit where such head contact was avoidable.
Claesson has never received any supplementary discipline from the league in the past, but has only played 80 games so far in his NHL career. The league wants to shut down any plays like this right away, as targeted head hits are a point of emphasis for the DoPS. Claesson has turned into a useful and physical defender for the Senators, but will have to walk the line more carefully in the future.
He’ll be available for their January 3rd game against the Detroit Red Wings. In the meantime, expect Ben Harpur to enter the lineup.